Join my sustainable home and garden in Funchal, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  I am a Wendy, a retired English woman who used to work with the homeless and other disadvantaged people in the UK . I moved to Madeira last year to live a simpler more sustainable life , and escape from the toxic politics of our times and meet new people of all nationalities .
  I live in Funchal in a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house which is away from the touristy areas but needs some updating. It has a 250 square metre garden which is very overgrown, so needs to be redesigned and transformed into truly tropical natural space where I hope to grow a range of fruit trees , flowers and cultivate a vegetable garden . It has a chicken house so I may have some later !
  I would love to host people of all cultural backgrounds with an interest in gardening and ideally some landscaping ideas to share or knowledge of permaculture I need help to clear and level the plot to make an ecofriendly garden. I would be working alongside you some of the time but you are free to decide which hours suit you. I am happy to cook for you or you can cook sometimes if you have an interest in cooking as I love all types of cuisine .
  I can host a single person or couple. Besides English, I speak some French and Greek and I am learning Portuguese so Portuguese speakers are most welcome as I need the practice !
  I love Madeira as its a very beautiful island which is warm all year round with lots of swimming and walking opportunities which I can tell you about.
  Many people speak English and are very friendly. I live just 15 minutes bus ride from the Centre of town from where there are good transport links around the island . There's lots of festivals, music and other cultural events all year round so you can never be bored here .
  I have Internet. Unfortunately I cant host smokers, pets or children and would host for minimum of one or 2 week periods which could possibly be extended by mutual consent

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  Help around the house
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  Interests

  

  Events & social

  

  Self development

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Charity work

  

  Plant care

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Music

  

  Gardening

  

  Dancing

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Hiking

  

  Nature

  

  Beach
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I would invite my guests to share experiences of the Madeiran culture including various festivals - Carnival, flower festival, Atlantic festival , fishing festivals and wine festival amongst others I can introduce guests to the numerous hiking opportunities here and accompany them if they wish I would share cooking meals and eating together and experiment and enjoy other cusines.
  I can share cultural practices both here and in the UK and we can exchange language practice We can compare experiences of travel and our views on how to live a fulfilling life and the world affairs. Working and learning together in the garden will be beneficial to us both.
  I am a member of Servas an international peace organization which focuses on cultural exchanges by hosting and I have hosted many guests this way and see Work away as an opportunity to expand my horizons and my guests.

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  Help

  I would like help with creating a sustainable garden . I would be working alongside you some of the time and though I love gardening I don't have expertise in landscaping or permaculture but am learning as I go along.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Greek: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate
  Portuguese: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I 'm keen to improve my Portuguese and refresh my French and Greek
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  Accommodation

  You would have own double bedroom and share kitchen, bathrooms and lounge with me.
  
  I will provide food for 3 meals a day and we would share our meal ideally taking turns to cook an evening meal so we can experience each other's cuisine I meat and fish and cook different types of food from different cultures but am happy to cook vegetarian food if guest is vegetarian .I am happy to teach all cooking if guest is not confident cooking We can go shopping together to choose food in local markets .

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  What else ...

  With time off you can visit the numerous beauty spots on the island or go walking or swimming or boat trips or partake in cultural activities

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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